Hey ladies!

We wanted to give you a little background and information on Jacqui Nicholson - one of our first finalists for Real Women of Philadelphia!

She goes by the name of Kiwi, and we think she's just as sweet. Here she is!

JACQUI NICHOLSON

Jacqui Nicholson has been cooking since she was just a little tot and she's spent a lot if time in the kitchen - she's made a lot happen in her 21 years! She learned and loved food early and was lucky enough to have the "Comfort Food Queen" for a mom! Jacqui is a pasta fanatic (who isn't?) and prides herself on her memorable Alfredo sauce - with a Poblano pepper kick! Apart from her love of the kitchen Jacqui works as a nanny and is a Sunday School teacher; her dream is to open a Cooking School in the suburbs of Chicago and bring the joy of cooking to adults and kids alike.

We asked Jacqui some questions about her love of food:

What is the best meal you've ever eaten?

Best meal I've ever eaten was at Texas de Brazil. In fact, it shouldn't even be called ONE meal because its so much food, it's ridiculous! The salad bar is so huge that you can eat from there and be just fine; shrimp, imported cheeses, various kinds of breads, sushi, salami, lobster bisque and more. Men come around with Brazilian meat on swords like little skewers, and then they bring you more sides like fried sweet bananas, garlic mashed potatoes, and cheese bread. It's definitely a smorgasbord, I love that place, it's a little piece of heaven!

Describe your biggest kitchen disaster.

Wow! Biggest disaster was actually on a Paula Deen recipe. I was about 13 and I was just starting to get into cooking and wanted to I try the Hobo Burgers that Paula makes. In the recipe, it calls for a cup or so of salt and other seasonings to make her special house blend. I did not pay attention when it said use 2 teaspoons of that mixture and add it to the hamburger meat. So I used the whole thing, which made the saltiest burgers ever!!! We all tasted it and almost fainted. My Dad though, was too sweet! He sat there, took one for the team and ate a whole burger just for me. That was definitely the worst ever!

Why is cooking so important to you?

Cooking is important to me because it's another way for me to express my creativity. I've always been a unique individual and some don't understand why I do things certain ways but when it comes to cooking, everyone understands me. I don't have to explain why, it just speaks for itself. When they taste something that I've made, they're not confused, they know that it's just good, no questions about it. Cooking really soothes me and when I'm not feeling the best, I get in my kitchen and it's like therapy. Cooking makes me comfortable and its one thing I'm never scared of; it's definitely one of my passions.

What are you going to say to Paula Deen when you meet her for the first time?

When I first meet Paula Deen I'll probably tell her how excited and honored I am to meet her. Then I'll tell her how much my mom adores her. I love Paula but my mom calls her one of her girlfriends and it's hilarious. Then Id let her know that her pound cakes and that famous 'Not Yo Mamas Banana Pudding' has made so many people happy around me. That's a decent start I think!